SMEs to gain from RM1b MRT offset jobs

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will
benefit from about RM1 billion in offset projects from phase one of the MY
Rapid Transit Project.

Mohd Yusoff Sulaiman, President and Chief Executive Officer Malaysian
Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) said the phase one MRT has about 32 to 40 projects.

"One project can have a few multipliers. We aim to match capable SMEs with
the main contractors and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) identified to
undertake the MRT project," he added.

He was speaking to reporters at the one-day offset awareness programme,
"Business Opportunities for SMEs: MRT Offset Programme", organised by MIGHT,
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Corp Sdn Bhd and SME Corp Malaysia here.

The Offset programme is an opportunity to derive a greater benefit for SMEs
in three forms, namely, technology transfer, local content and market access by
providing a platform for OEMs and main contractors to explore potential SMEs to
be linked with.

Mohd Yusoff said among the works and desired components from the SMEs
include the manufacture of electric trains, signalling and train control system,
power supply and distribution system and track works.

He also said other business opportunities that may arise includes the demand
for property or housing, food and other services.

Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Corp Sdn Bhd and MIGHT have initiated the MRT
Offset Programme for SMEs under the RM5 billion MRT project, to equalise the
cost.

MIGHT's role as the Offset Management Unit for MRT Corp, is to plan,
implement and monitor the programme implementation and it has currently
identified nine offset projects for the SMEs.

The awareness programme today involved a briefing on opportunities and
potential collaboration, followed by business-to-business networking sessions
with major companies involved in the project, such as Mitsubishi Heavy
Industries Ltd, Konsortium Ansaldo STS Emrail and Meidensha Corporation Japan.

"The programme today will assist SMEs in boosting their visibility and
capability among the major companies and we will work together to
identify the qualified SMEs," Mohd Yusoff said.

The MRT project will be carried out in three phases, with the first phase
being a 51 km track from Sungai Buloh to Kajang and involving more than 80
work packages. -- Bernama